Damon Atwood

Theatre Tales of the Techie

Arts EN ↓ 82 episodes

In these episodes, I am going to share over forty years of working on the tech side of the theatre industry. Lighting, Rigging, Scenery, being a TD, LD, stagehand, working as an installer of theatre equipment systems, and ultimately getting into sales and leadership roles. What sparked this idea was talking with a young man who was trying to decide if a future in the theatre industry was right for him. The views and opinions expressed in this program are my own and do not reflect the views or positions of my employer. The material and information presented here is for general information purpo...

Author

Damon Atwood

Category

Arts

Latest episode

Mar 3, 2026

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Episodes

Should I stay? Or should I go? 14.06.2023

This is a cool episode I recorded late June 9th. In this episode, I share where a pal asked me to explain why I have worked for so many wonderful companies. I talk about why I love this industry and all the cool people. Never been fired and always looking to move the ball forward. And always keep your radar up. I also talk about how you can't fix toxic people. And how you have to let them crash an...

Design, NPD, R&D, and not Designing Junk! 11.06.2023

In this podcast, I share my thoughts on what I have seen in the aviation and theatre industry over the last forty-three years. Warning: This podcast is my thoughts and opinions and covers Pre-2007 insights and events.

The Best, Worst, Best of Times 04.06.2023

I had a cool college guy named Ethan reach out to me. We talked about many subjects, eleven to be exact. Out of those eleven subjects, Ethan asked that I make a podcast covering three. This will be the first of the three podcasts.

Five questions with Brian Moon of Moon-O-Vations 18.05.2023

This was an exciting podcast, as I was very fortunate to interview a great designer and inventor, Brian Moon of Moon-O-Vations. Brian has been in the theatre industry for many years and has helped to design top-notch lighting equipment used by many. He holds many patents in his name and is the definition of a true innovator. This was a fun interview as we discussed what got Brian to where he is to...

Getting People to Like YOU! 15.05.2023

A dive into getting people to see you as an asset and a key factor to their success.

Dealer 101 12.05.2023

In this episode, I share what a busy week looked like in Dec. of 1999. I had a cool collage student reach out to me asking if I could share more about what it was like working for a theatrical dealer.

Coolest Project Ever? 03.05.2023

How do you do the impossible? By working with the best of the best!

Five Questions with Miriam Morgan 14.04.2023

In this episode, I continue my series, Five Questions, and ask Miriam Morgan, a cool veteran of the theatre industry, five questions about her life in the theatre industry. The five questions are- 1. What got you into the theatre industry? 2. What kept you in the theatre industry? 3. What's the coolest thing you've done in theatre? 4. What's the worst thing you have done in theatre? 5. What would...

Five Questions with Jason Prichard 07.04.2023

In this episode, I continue my series, Five Questions, and get to ask theatre consultant and pal Jason Prichard five questions about his life in the theatre industry. The five questions are- 1. What got you into the theatre industry? 2. What kept you in the theatre industry? 3. What's the coolest thing you've done in theatre? 4. What's the worst thing you have done in theatre? 5. What would you te...

The Big Empty Room 31.03.2023

In this episode, I share what it was like to do a corporate rental in a big empty room at a convention center. You start with a really big room that is 100% empty. Then you set up, do the rental, then tear down, and leave the room 100% empty.

Five Questions with Bill Price 30.03.2023

In this episode, I interview a great pal I have known for around twenty years. I ask him five questions about the theatre industry. The five questions are- 1. What got you into the theatre industry? 2. What kept you in the theatre industry? 3. What's the coolest thing you've done in theatre? 4. What's the worst thing you have done in theatre? 5. What would you tell a high school or college kid who...

Grammy Awards and Too Much Risk 29.03.2023

In this episode, I share the time everyone wanted us to sell automated rigging hoists to a company that would then use them for a reveal wall in the Grammy Awards. If one thing went wrong on LIVE TV, it could be the end of a compies reputation. In life, we must consider whether our risk is worth it. Never let fame and ego steer your path.

When you don't know CRAP! Dunning–Kruger Effect 27.03.2023

In this episode, I share my thoughts on a cool graph that shows how we learn and how much we don't know when we start a new path.

Five Questions with Tobin Neis 26.03.2023

In this episode, I interview a great pal I have known for around twenty-five years. I ask him five questions about the theatre industry. The five questions are- 1. What got you into the theatre industry? 2. What kept you in the theatre industry? 3. What's the coolest thing you've done in theatre? 4. What's the worst thing you have done in theatre? 5. What would you tell a high school or college ki...

A Future Techie 26.03.2023

Listen to me share a cool conversation I had with a young man who is off to college next year. His dream is to be in tech theatre, but he worries about what he will do if he does not like it.

The Rental from Hell! 26.03.2023

I share the worst experience I ever had with a lighting rental. But no matter what, the show must go on.

The BEST Theatre Manager. 25.03.2023

In this podcast, I share who my most favorite theatre manager was. This guy was the greatest boss ever.

Stage Curtains! How different we are all! 25.03.2023

In this episode, I share how I learned just how different we are all, and how that's okay.

M.E.P.s, EE, EC & Div.11 and .26 25.03.2023

One of the hardest things I ever did in the theatre industry was working out a way to have massive success working in Div.11 (Mechanical) and Div.26 (Electrical)

The Clean Theatre is a Happy Theatre 23.03.2023

We all know when things are clean, it makes life better, but it also makes it safer!

The Sick Dimming System 19.03.2023

A long time ago, I was asked to fix a MAJOR dimming system. It was a nightmare figuring this one out. But in the end, the lights came on.

Consultants, Dealers, Riggers? How I did Inspections. 11.03.2023

After sharing my podcast on "The theatre inspection from Hell!" I received a few comments from pals and listeners. They asked that I share how I did rigging inspections back in the day. I also share how I favor you getting an unbiased inspection from a theatre consultant. They don't have a horse in the race regarding whether the rigging system needs to be repaired. Just the facts! With that said,...

Rigging inspection from HELL 09.03.2023

I was contacted back in the '90s about a theatre inspection, which ended up being a rigging system inspection. Want to hear about a crazy but sometimes typical rigging inspection? Listen to this podcast and find out.

Working Theatres- A&Es, Integrators, and Consultants 24.02.2023

In this podcast, I share a conversation with a cool college kid looking at a possible career in theatre who had never heard of a theatre consultant and why their work is so important.

The interview that changed my LIFE! 22.02.2023

In this episode, I discuss my interview to get a job at the Lilly Theatre. I would end up with over seven years of having a blast as a technician, LD, TD, audio engineer, and more. This job is what made my life in theatre rocket to success.

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